Clay Aiken To Join Broadway's 'Spamalot' In January

[Brian Damage]

NEW YORK (AP) - From ''American Idol'' to Eric Idle's ''Spamalot.'' Clay Aiken will join the Broadway cast of ''Monty Python's Spamalot'' on Jan. 18, playing one of the leads, Sir Robin, in the Tony Award-winning musical directed by Mike Nichols.

''I really couldn't have asked for a more wonderful group of people to work with,'' said Aiken, who became a recording and concert star after his appearances on the TV series ''American Idol.''

''Let's not lie, the chance to work with legendary creative minds like Mike Nichols and Eric Idle is, on its own, a reason to jump at this opportunity.''

Aiken will appear in the show, which is based on the film ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail,'' through May 4, 2008. The musical's book is by Idle, an original member of the Python gang, and its score is by Idle and John DuPrez.

''Clay Aiken is amazing beyond that glorious voice,'' Nichols said. ''Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character.''